Floor radiounit



ug- 8, 1933- l E. F. ANDREWS 1,922,008

FLOOR RADIOUNIT Filed March 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l WWW @mdd/Mem:

@Mz/afm Aug. 8, 1933. u E.. F. ANDREWS FLOOR RADIoUNiT Filed March 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MQW CJD

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Patented Aug. 8, 1933 ranma FLOOR RADIOUNIT Edward F. Andrews, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Andrews-Hammond Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a Corporation of Illinois Application March 20, 1928.

(Cl. Z-14) 21 Claims.

My invention relates to a radio receiving set particularly to a portable set wherein the entire receiving mechanism is mounted in a single readily movable housing. The principal object of this invention is to provide a structure for a complete radio receiver, totally different from current practice, which may include a loud speaker, which shall be readily portable about the room or house, which will stand directly on the iiocr, and which will at the same time locate the controlling and indicating mechanism at a height convenient to the hand of a sitting, standing or reclining operator. A further object is to provide a set as above described which can be housed in a relatively small compact metal container which will be cheap to build andat the same time will lend itself to a pleasing decorative effect from all sides. A further object is to provide a set of this character which may be connected to any light socket by a plug on the end of a relatively long flexible cable, which cable and plug may constitute the only connections necessary to operate the set, antenna and ground connections as well as power for the set being derived, if desired, from this single connection to the lighting circuit. A further object is to provide such a set which shall have its center of gravity located very close to the floor upon which it stands, so that it will have a minimum tendency to tip over if pushed or kicked.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, where- 1n Figure l is a side elevation of my device;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section on an enlarged scale; and

Figure 3 is a partial wiring diagram.

Like parts are indicated by like Vsymbols throughout the specification and claims.

Referring first to Figures l and 2, A indicates any suitable base or ground engaging member. Upwardly projecting therefrom are a plurality of vertical supports or columns A1, arranged adjacent the edge of the base member A. Secured to the upper ends thereof is an upwardly and inwardly inclined or reduced housing member A2 which may be provided with a plurality of apertures A3 and which terminates in an inwardly reduced portion A4.

Secured to the portion A4 in any suitable manner is the lower edge B1 of the hollow control column B. The column B is expanded at its upper end as at B2 to form a supplemental hous- Serial No. 263,007

ing for the control and indicating members hereafter described. B3 is any suitable handle member, preferably secured to the housing B2. Located on the base A are the heavier elements of the set, especially the power supply devices such as the transformer C, the choke coils C1 and the lter condensers C2. In the particular construction disclosed in Figure 2 theaudio frequency transformers C3 C4 are also located on the base A and the gang of tuning condensers D also rests upon the base and projects upwardly therefrom.

Positioned upon the supports or columns A1 intermediate their ends is any suitable intermediate support, herein shown as an annular shelf j E, upon which are mounted the vacuum tubes generally indicated as E1 and the radio frequency transformers enclosed in shields and diagrammatically illustrated as E2. The rectifier tube E3 is mounted on a small shelf or support E4, 75v because it is of greater height than the other tubes.

Immediately above the tubes E1 and the radio frequency transformers E2 is positioned a loud speaker, herein shown as including a motor G and a vibrating cone G1 supported upon the connecting rod G2. The cone G1 is shown with a hole G3 through which passes a shaft D1 which connects the condenser gang D with the control and indicating mechanism positioned within the housing B2. It will be understood that any suitable dial mechanism may be employed. Y

For rotating the shaft D1 and the rotor plates of the condenser gang secured thereupon, I indicate a rotatable knob D5 extending above the housing D2, which may be employed to rotate the dial located inside or upon the housing B2, connected directly to the shaft D1 and carrying upon it graduations for the purpose of indicating the frequency which the -set is tuned tov receive. A suitable volume control mechanism f and a switch for turning on and olf the power supply in the set is also conveniently located in or upon the housing D2, being herein shown as' D1i Drl respectively. K

In order to permit access to the interior of the device, I provide a vertically movable housing member, herein shown as a cylinder I-I the bottom of which normally rests upon the base A when it i`s`in position, the top of which in such case engages the lower edge of the housing member A2. When access is desired the member I-I may be raised. It will be understood of course that I do not wish to limit myself solely to this specic means of having access to the interior or the housing, but nd it a practical arrangement.

Referring to Figure 1 J indicates a flexible conductive cable which will be understood having two conductors which extend from the two point plug J1 to the base member A, whence any suitable conductive connections are mace with the various parts cf the set.

I illustrate a partial wiring diagram in "Figure 3 which is thought to be sufiicient to illustrate the characteristic features of the circuit. J2 J3 are the separate conductors of tic cord J. J4 is a switch adapted to be located on conn trol compartment B2 for actuation by the man ual control member D7. J5 is the primary coil of the power transformer shown as C in Figure 2. A multiplicity of secondary windings J5 serve the purposes indicated in Figure 3, the wiring connections therefor not being shown in detail. When the switch J4 is opened the current is conipletely turned off to all parts of the set. J7 is a radio frequency amplification stage of which J 3 is the inductance. J9 is a resistance across the inductances JS, variable for purpose oi volume control. This may be operated by the voligce control knob DG mounted upon the housing D2 earlier described and shown in Figures l a.. d J10 is an alternating current tube supplied by Y one of the secondary windings J6. The plate J 11 is connected to the succeeding radio frequency stage of the set. 312 is a condenser connected between the grid side of the inductance J8 and the primary of the transformer J5. This connection .allows the electric lighting circuit to function las the antenna or radio frequency connector for `the radio set. t will be realized that this aru rangment is merely one of several specic arrangements that can be employed. The cylindrical construction of the container VH provides an advantageous set structure, being :.1; mits the convenient location of the tubes V,the periphery where they are easily accessible when the cylindrical casing EI is removed. This shape also conforms 'to the shape of a cone oi loud speaker, with its cone lying in a horizon tal plane. y It is advantageous for many reasons to .locate Vthe power devices at the bottom,

they are the heaviest and to so locate them low ers the center of gravity of the set, giving it'stability; second, because they are more rugged would be less apt to bedamaged kicked or pushed'with the foot; and third, because it is not necessary to provide particularly ready access to them. The tubes and radio frequency portions of the set can be advantageously located above the power units, as there is greater of cessibility to the tubes and frefniency structure is generally lighter. The gang condenser D extends down into the lower compartment. Y A It is thought advantageous to use a horisontally located cone type of loud speaker this can be incorporated with only a small increase in the over-all dimensions. ii theo .ie sit-- uated above the tubes with its it utilises V,the space in the tapered portion of the hour which taper is very desirable from the point oi View of appearance.

Also, the location of the speaker at the top of the device makes it possible the sound to pass Ainterference from the other parts ofthe set. This construction produces a relatively low compact small unit withl its heaviest portions located adjacent the floor. it is economical to build and can be enclosed completely in a decorative metal housing which is itself quite small and iight.

if a radio set is to be carried about from place o place and set down in a position adjacent to .ie chair r couch occupied by the operator, it desirable that it be adapted to be set upon the oor as otherwise the presence of a table or some uit-able object upon which it can be set is reuired. However if the device is made small and oi pact, as is dictated by economy in production d ready portability, it will be too low to have its indicating and controlling mechanism located upon one of its sides as is the present practice. lhereiore to bring the indicating and coi'itrolling mechanism to within easy reach of the operator and to provide a h ndle by which the set can be transported readily from one place to another, column B provided, projecting upwardly from the set, and carrying at its upper end the handle the indicating control container B2 located at a height 'which makes operation V', standing or reclining position easy and convenient. it will of course be apparent of did rent dimensions will require coll s of varying lengths to bring their controls to the proper height, a very convenient height Y' twenty-two inches.

mijn

his of set to present its maximum adi it should made as small and light consistent with rugged construction cc only production. Large and heavy inn s adapted to this arrangement, it beingV gene ally preferable to divide the set into two parts suoli cases, as described in my copending ap ,ocation No. 253,005, iiled March 20, Unn removal of the plug J1 from any socket, the set `inay be picked up by the handle B3, and can be easily transported to any desired location in the house, where the mere insertion oi plug J1 into a light socket immediately renders it ready for operation.

it will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my spe-cinc sh wing.

ln particular it will be understood that where ii e th claims I describe the container as located vrt the door I vlan this term to be taken as tly broad to include devices wherein the actually engages the floor and those where a i positioned somewhat above the oor as for exar'lole upon supporting feet or base.

, l. A. portable radio receiving apparatus which includes a container located adjacent the licor, tuning means positioned in said container, control for operating said tuning means, positioned above said container, located at a level convenient for the hand of a standing, seated or reclining operator Vand actuating connecting means between said control means and said tun- `ing means, and a housing extension projecting upwardly from said container and about said connecting means, and of substantially less crosssectional area than lsaid container, an enlargement at the upper end of said extension, an indicating dial within said'enlargement, a connection between said dial and said connecting means and means for rotating the dial.

2. A portable radio receiving apparatus which includes a container located adjacent the floor, tuning means positioned in said container, control means for operating said tuning means positioned above said container at a level convenient for the hand of a standing, seated or reclining operator, an actuating connection between said control means and said tuning means, a housing extension projecting upwardly from said container and about said connecting means and of substantially less cross-sectional area than said container, an enlargement at the upper end of said extension, and an indicatiner dial within said enlargement adapted to be actuated in unison with said tuning means.

3. A portable radio receiving apparatus which includes a container located adjacent the floor, an extension or" said container of substantially reduced cross-sectional area projecting upwardly from said container, tuning means in said container, control and indicating means located at the upper end of said extension, and an actuating connection between said control means and said tuning means extending through said extension.

4. A portable radio receiving apparatus cornprising a container adapted to be located adjacent the floor, a radio receiving set housed within said container, a loud speaker of the cone type located in the upper portion of said container with its axis vertical, a housing of reduced diameter projecting upwardly from said container, control and indicating means mounted at the upper end of said housing, and an actuating connection extending therefrom through said housing into said radio set.

5. A portable radio receiving apparatus comprising a container adapted to be located adjacent the floor, a radio receiving set housed within said container, a loud speaker of the cone type located in the upper portion of said container with'its axis vertical, a housing of reduced diameter projecting upwardly from said container, control and indicating means mounted at the upper end of said housing, and an actuating connection extending therefrom through said housing and through said loud speaker into said radio set.

6. A portable radio receiving apparatus comprising a container adapted to be located adjacent the floor, said container having a substantially frusto-conical upper end, a radio receiving set housed within said container, a loud speaker of the cone type located within said container above said set with its axis vertical and its apex pointed upwardly so that it conforms to the frusto-conical upper end of the container, a housing of reduced diameter extending upwardly from the upper end of the frusto-conical end wall, control and indicating means supported at the upper end of said housing, and an actuating connection extending therefrom through said housing into said radio receiving set.

7. A portable radio receiving apparatus comprising a container adapted to be located adjacent the floor, said container having a substantially frusto-conical upper end, a radio receiving set housed within said container, a loud speaker of the cone type located within said container above said set with its axis vertical and its apex pointed upwardly so that it conforms to the frusto-conical upper end of the container, a housing of reduced diameter extending upwardly from the upper end of the frustro-conical end wall, control and indicating means supported at the upper end of said housing, and an actuating connection extending therefrom through said housing and through said loud speaker into said radio receiving set.

8. A portable radio receiving apparatus comprising a container adapted to stand on the floor, a radio set in the lower part of said container, a speaker of the cone type located within said container and above said set with 'the axis or" the cone vertical, the periphery of the cone approximating an outline to the surrounding wall of the container, controls located above said set and above said speaker, and actuating means connecting said controls to said radio set, said actuating means extending through the speaker.

9. A radio receiving set comprising a speaker having a conical diaphragm located with its axis vertical, a base located below said speaker and located at right angles to said axis, a plurality of tubes mounted in a circle on said base adjacent the edge thereof, and a housing having a substantially cylindrical wall enclosing said tubes and surrounding the marginal edge of said diaphragm.

10. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker, a base located adjacent said speaker in spaced relation thereto, said base being substantially coaxial with the cone of said speaker and a plurality of tubes and radio amplifying devices mounted on said base and arranged in a ring in substantial alignment with the periphery of the said cone.

,11. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker, a base located in alignment with said speaker and substantially at right angles to the axis thereof, a plurality of tubes and radio amplifying devices mounted on said base and arranged in a ring in alignment with the edge of said speaker, and a surrounding enclosure protecting said tubes and devices and readily removable for replacement and adjustment of said tubes and devices.

l2. A radio receiving set comprising a speaker having a conical diaphragm, a circular base in alignment with said diaphragm and located at right angles to the axis thereof, a plurality of tubes and radio amplifying devices mounted on said base adjacent the edge thereof, and a substantially cylindrical housing enclosing said tubes and amplifying devices and surrounding the marginal edge of said diaphragm.

13. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker with its axis vertical, a base located below said speaker, a plurality of radio devices mounted on said base and arranged in a line below the perimeter of said speaker cone, a column extending upwardly above said speaker, and controls mounted on said column.

14. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker, a base located below said speaker and at right angles to the axis thereof, a plurality of tubes mounted on said base and arranged around its edge, a surrounding enclosure protecting said tubes and readily removable for replacement and adjustment of said tubes, a column extending above said speaker, and radio controls mounted on said column.

15. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker, a base located'below said speaker at right angles to the axis thereof, a plurality of radio tubes mounted on said base and arranged in a line below the perimeter of the speaker cone,

a column extending upwardly above said speaker, and radio controls mounted on said column.

16. A radio receiving set comprising a cone type speaker, a base located below said speaker and at right angles to the axis thereof, a plurality of radio devices mounted on said base and arranged along its edge, a surrounding enclosure protecting said devices and readily removable for replacement and adjustment of said devices, a column extending upwardly above said speaker, and radio controls mounted in said column.

17. A radio receiver' having a Substantially circular base, a cone type loud speaker mounted substantially in the center o said base with the axis of the speaker cone substantially perpendicular to said base, and thermionic tubes mounted in a circular series around the outer portion of said base between the base and the periphery of said speaker cone.

18. A radio receiver comprising a loud speaker of the cone type, radio devices located behind the speaker cone, controls located in front of said cone, and operating means connecting said controls to said devices extending through said cone.

19. A radio receiver comprising a loud speaker of the cone type, radio devices located behind the speaker cone; controls located in front of said cone, and operating means connecting said controls to said devices extending through said cone, said cone being provided with openings permitting said operating means to pass freely therethrough out of contact with the cone.

20. A radio receiver comprising a loud speaker of the cone type, radio devices located behind the speaker cone, a supporting wall in front of said speaker cone, control means mounted on said wall, and operating means connecting said controls to said devices extending through said cone, said cone being provided with openings permitting said operating means to pass freely therethrough out of contact with the cone.

21. In a radio receiver, in combination, a cone type speaker, radio devices behind the speaker, controls in front of said speaker, and operating connections between said controls and devices extending through said speaker.

EDWARD F. ANDREWS. 

